6 replies to this topic

[Benjamin DeHaven]

Hey all!

I was wondering if this Merlin is a Juvenile or an Adult. I can't see the crown as the steel blue I think an adult should have and just want confirmation. This was taken today at Patterson Park in Baltimore City, Maryland.



DSC_2917 by Benjamin DeHaven Photography, on Flickr

Thanks!

Benjamin

[lesliejmorris]

Sorry I cant help with the ID but I just love its expression! Nice capture.

[Indybirder]

Looks like an adult to me.

[psweet]

The steel blue color is only found on adult males -- this species can be really tough to age. (We don't even try at the hawkwatch, but we usually have less time than it takes to read this post!) Based on the shape of the tail feathers and the wide outer black band, I'd guess this is an adult, but I certainly wouldn't put any money on it.

[BarnSwallow]

So are you saying I should head on over to Patterson Park?

[cestma]

That shot would have been a great one for the caption contest!

[Benjamin DeHaven]

Well, at least for the time being I would recommend it. Its been good to me the past two days with 5 lifers (Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Lincoln's Sparrow, Winter Wren). Perhaps not exactly the most rare group of birds there, but hey...

Yesterday's eBird Checklist For Patterson Park, Baltimore City, Maryland


34 species total

1 American Black Duck
75 Mallard
1 Great Blue Heron
4 Turkey Vulture
5 Ring-billed Gull
31 Rock Pigeon
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
1 Northern Flicker
2 American Kestrel
1 Merlin
6 Eastern Phoebe
3 Blue Jay
5 American Crow
1 House Wren
1 Winter Wren
2 Golden-crowned Kinglet
12 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Hermit Thrush
1 Wood Thrush
Bold white eye-ring, white breast and chest and flanks, very bold spots all the way down the flanks. Gray / white cheek patch and brown/red over body with some grey/red/brown mixing in towards the ends of the wings and the tail.
1 American Robin
5 Gray Catbird
3 European Starling
3 Ovenbird
5 Common Yellowthroat
1 American Redstart
2 Pine Warbler
1 Eastern Towhee
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
1 Lincoln's Sparrow
1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
2 Red-winged Blackbird
6 House Sparrow

And if you like squirrels... I've never seen such a high population density of squirrels in my life!